/ West

Hungry Amoo joins a hot stretch of Ossington Ave. packed with some of the city’s most popular restaurants.

Having opened the space with his father and uncle, or baba and amoo respectively in Farsi, chef Houman Pourmarz has worked in both Canada and Iran. With this experience, Pourmarz sought out to create a menu that blends the cultures together while showcasing his heritage.

The front half of Hungry Amoo is open and casual, allowing for passersby to drop in for one of the many custom cocktails created around a single ingredient. The Saffranos ($16), for instance, is both fruity and spicy, and finished with a spritz of saffron. Hogweed, not something featured on your typical cocktail menu, makes an appearance in the sweet Pomegranite Spritz ($16), and the Berberism ($16) is a punchy 4 oz. cocktail with small berberis frozen in ice.

The more intimate back half of the space is where guests can enjoy an eclectic menu of Hungry Amoo's share plates. Try the pistachio soup ($7.50), a middle-eastern favourite, or the savoury and sweet tamarind beef ($12) and the dirty chicken ($18), which is flavoured with ras el hanout, a spice mix from North Africa.

Hungry Amoo has also introduced a brunch menu that offers slightly more traditional fare with options catering to just about every palate. Pourmarz says there's a possibility to venture into the late-night scene in the future.

Hungry Amoo is open at 74 Ossington Ave. Check out hungryamoo.com for more info and to have a look at the menu.